Spring Street last hurrah

Published on 28th August 2008 in Ents

Hull Truck Theatre is all set to hit the road again with the last national tour to leave from and return to its Spring Street home.

The theatre, which famously started life as a touring company out of the back of a truck, has a loyal following of fans all across the country and each of their tours are seen by thousands of theatre goers.

This autumn's tour will see Amanda Whittingtonís Ladies Down Under visit 11 venues across the country from September 3 starting at West Yorkshire Playhouse before returning for an emotional homecoming at Spring Street in November.

The tour will also visit Scunthorpe, Middlesborough, Buxton, York, Bury St Edmunds, Bracknell, Wakefield, Basingstoke, Oldham and Poole.

Ladies Down Under director Gareth Tudor Price said: ìTouring is extremely important to Hull Truck, not only in generating revenue, but also for raising our profile and the profile of Hull nationwide. We enjoy huge support across the country and weíre all looking forward to the Ladies Down Under tour, which will be an extra special one as it is the last to return to our much-loved Spring Street home. Our actors enjoy being out on the road but also look forward to coming back to Hull and Iím sure this time it will be particularly emotional for them.î

The Ladies Down Under production was a huge hit when it was staged in Hull last year. It was a follow up to the equally popular Ladies Day, premiered in 2005, which saw a taste of Ascot come to York.

The first play follows the fortunes of four female fish factory workers who scoop the jackpot at the races and the sequel then follows the friends as they spend their winnings on a trip of a lifetime.

This production of Ladies Down Under will see the original cast re-assembled, including local actress Lucy Beaumont and former EastEnders star Jemma Walker.

Gareth said: "Ladies Day was a huge success when it toured nationally in 2006 ñ audiences really connected with the four ladies and their friendship and we have every hope that this tour will be just as popular. It would be great for this, our last tour to leave and return to Spring Street, to be a huge success and to help us sign off from here on a real high note!"

Future tours will now return to the theatres new home- a £14.5m building currently being constructed on Ferensway, Hull.

The new theatre includes a 440-seat main auditorium and 134-seat studio theatre as well as an education suite, corporate facilities and bars.

You can find more information about all the future productions being staged at the Hull Truck Theatre or book tickets by visiting their website www.hulltruck.co.uk